Fourth XI Premiers Sharks Deliver on the Biggest Day
- Beaumaris CC
- Mar 15
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Back Row: Phil O'Donnell, Nick Zigouras, Adam Ryan, Andrew Poll, Jake Dickson, Angus Bennett, Richard Edward, Gavin Norman (President)
Front Row: Tim Hancock, David Ritchie (Captain), Harry Arendarcikas, Oliver Scott, Matt Marshman, Theo Kotze
Fourth XI Premiers — Sharks Deliver on the Biggest Day
The Beaumaris Fourth XI are premiers, and they did it in the best possible fashion with relentless pressure in the field, discipline with the ball, and a run chase that shut the door completely on any Brighton hope.
In a grand final performance full of energy, teamwork and composure, the Sharks dismissed Brighton for 99 in 33.2 overs before chasing the target without losing a wicket, finishing 0/103 in 20 overs to claim a memorable premiership.
It was not a scrappy win. It was a complete win. The kind of grand final performance is built on role clarity, effort, and contribution from every player in the side.
And it made the day even more special to see club legends Richard Edward, Phil O’Donnell and Nick Zigouras celebrate another flag, adding to their long and valued contribution to the club.
The Sharks set the tone early.
Grand finals are often decided by the team that fields better, hunts harder and applies pressure for longer. From the very beginning, that was Beaumaris.
Brighton were never allowed to settle. Every run felt difficult. Singles were challenged, the ring fielders stayed switched on, and the bowlers were backed by real intensity around the bat and in the deep. There was a sharpness to the Sharks that made it clear this side had come to play.
One of the early defining moments came through a brilliant run out, with Andrew Poll combining with Oliver Scott to remove a batter and immediately inject energy into the contest. It was exactly the type of fielding moment that changes the mood of a final decisive, clean and full of intent.
That pressure was then turned into genuine scoreboard damage by Jake Dickson, who ripped through the top order with a superb spell of 3/14 from 6.2 overs. He bowled with control, made life difficult for the batters from the outset, and gave Brighton no chance to get ahead of the game. In a grand final, early wickets are gold, and Jake’s work ensured Beaumaris stayed in control from the opening exchanges.
Young players step into the moment
One of the most pleasing parts of the win was the contribution from the younger players, who embraced the occasion and played their role in a high-pressure match.
Angus Bennett bowled very well without the reward his spell probably deserved. He showed composure, strong skill and real promise, and his work through the day again highlighted his upside and long-term potential. Just as importantly, he backed it up with a brilliant effort in the field, helping maintain the pressure across the innings.
Theo Kotze was outstanding in the field. His energy, movement and willingness to stay involved in every ball helped lift the side and build pressure. Performances like that matter enormously in finals cricket. They help create the feeling that the batting side is under siege, and Theo brought that edge all day.
Harry Arendarcikas also fielded brilliantly, and the experience of being part of a premiership win in that environment will be hugely valuable in his growth as a cricketer. He handled the occasion well and contributed strongly to the team effort.
There were strong support acts right across the side. Matt Marshman opened the bowling well and was unlucky not to finish with more reward for the quality of his spell.
Tim Hancock was excellent in the field all day, presented strongly, and made his presence felt through consistent effort and involvement. Tim has been our white-padded, shiny-helmet superstar all year, and his presence always makes his teammates walk taller (even if it's just to talk to him).
And then there was Nick Zigouras, who turned back the clock with one of the great almost-moments of the day. Stationed in the gully, Nick launched himself at a sharp chance and somehow managed to get at least two inches off the ground in a valiant attempt to pull off an absolute blinder.
He may not have got anywhere near it, but the effort alone brought plenty of life to the contest and plenty of appreciation from teammates and spectators alike. It was vintage Zigouras, committed, wholehearted and proving that the instincts never leave you.
Experience takes over
Once Brighton were under pressure, the Sharks turned to the players who know exactly how to handle big moments.
This was the stage where experience took over.
Adam Ryan found himself very lucky to pick up a few wickets, finishing with 3/13 from 6 overs. While the figures look excellent on paper, he would no doubt admit fortune played its part as he survived without a heart attack!
Richard Edward and Phil O’Donnell did what experienced club cricketers do in grand finals: they constricted, controlled and kept asking questions.
Richard finished with 2/21 from 7 overs, while Phil produced a highly valuable spell of 1/13 from 5 overs. They did not allow Brighton to break free, and their work in the middle overs was a major reason the innings never developed into anything dangerous.
(We are sure Disco knows he doesn't need to appeal for a bowled, but when you have played that many games for the club, he can do whatever he likes.
The innings was then capped off by a brilliant one-handed catch from Oliver Scott, a genuine highlight of the day and one of those moments that sticks in the memory after a premiership win. It was the perfect finish to a fielding display that was full of effort, intensity and skill.
By the time Brighton were finally dismissed for 99, the Sharks had put together their best bowling and fielding performance of the season. On the biggest day, they were at their best.
Poll blows the chase open
If there was any thought that Brighton might claw their way back into the match by taking early wickets, Andrew Poll made sure those thoughts were short-lived. He came out and hit the first ball of the innings for six, immediately putting the chase on Beaumaris' terms. It was a statement shot, aggressive, fearless and perfectly timed. From that moment on, the Sharks looked like a team determined to finish the job quickly.
Poll was outstanding, blasting 50 retired not out from 36 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. He dominated the bowling, scored with freedom, and sucked the life out of any hope Brighton may have had. It was match-shaping batting and exactly the kind of innings that can break an opposition spirit in a final.
At the other end, skipper David Ritchie played the perfect captain’s innings. Calm, assured and disciplined, he finished 37 not out from 67 balls, guiding the chase with maturity and control. He read the situation beautifully, let Poll attack, and made sure there was no collapse, no panic and no shift in momentum.
With the finish line approaching, Matt Marshman added 16 not out from 17 balls, helping complete the chase and ensure the Sharks went through the innings without losing a wicket.
The scorebook will say 0/103 in 20 overs, but the real story was how thoroughly Beaumaris controlled the chase.
After dominating the fielding innings, they came out with the bat and removed any chance of Brighton building scoreboard pressure.
A flag built on team cricket
This premiership had all the elements a club loves to celebrate.
It had senior players stepping up when the game was there to be controlled.
It had younger players contributing with energy and intent.
It had standout moments in the field.
It had a bowling unit working together.
And it had a top-order chase that finished the job emphatically.
Most of all, it had the look of a team that understood how to win together.
For David Ritchie, it was a superb day as captain, leading the side, guiding the chase, and finishing unbeaten in a grand final win.
For Richard Edward, Phil O’Donnell and Nick Zigouras, it was a special moment to add another premiership to their long involvement and service to the club.
For the younger players in the side, it was a day that would teach them what strong finals cricket looks like: disciplined, unselfish, committed and fully team-first.
And for the Sharks, it was the perfect ending to the season.
Premiers. Deservedly so. Go Sharks.
Fourth XI Premiers Sharks Deliver on the Biggest Day
